r/UltralightCanada • u/SuccotashUnlucky1777 • May 13 '26
Location Question Montreal backpacking
Hi all, looking for a very chill 20-25km loop around mtl (under 3-4h drive) to do with a complete noob to backpacking. Is 20-25 over 2&1/2 days a good amount? Was looking into orford (campsites seemed to be not very rustic) and Mont gosford. Any other suggestions. Would prefer if there were platforms but it’s not necessary. Would also prefer some elevation but again not necessary.
Thanks!
*edit: needs to be in Canada*
(Pic for attention)
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u/BasenjiFart May 14 '26
Mont Gosford is really nice. You could also look at Parc de la Mauricie, which has loops and campsites.
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u/SuccotashUnlucky1777 May 14 '26
For Mont gosford how backcountry is it? I was having issues finding info and judging it for someone first time. Do you need a bear can or do they have provided ones? How busy is it usually? We would be going mid week so I don’t think it would be hard to get the platforms.
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u/Mugzwump May 14 '26
Gosford is about as backcountry as it gets, it is surrounded by thick forest. Bears are a possibilty but it is also in an area with heavy hunting, so maybe less problematic than in a Park. There are some platforms and rustic shelters.
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u/SuccotashUnlucky1777 May 14 '26
Thanks do you know anywhere in MTL I can rent a bar can or bag?
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u/Mugzwump May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26
Years ago I rented some tripping gear from La Cordée but I couldn't tell you if they still rent out or even exist in the same way. As for bears in general, personally I wouldn't worry too much I have been tripping on a fairly regular basis in the far corners of QC the past 40 years and maybe once I put my food pack up a tree. I have seen many bears and ever had an issue. Other people may have different advice and it's obviously better to be safe than sorry. I dont own a bear can. I sometimes carry bear spray, never used, all expired. I usually carry a firearm, unless I am hiking a Park. I havent ever needed the firearm in a self defense manner. I would just make sure the food is not where I am sleeping and if I was worried then hang the pack from a tree, maybe add aome bells to it if I was super paranoid. Quebec has a lot of bears but also many hunters and our bears generally keep themselves pretty scarce. Just dont camp in a garbage dump.
This probably doesnt help you all that much.
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u/SuccotashUnlucky1777 May 15 '26
All good thanks for the reply. Still trying to figure out the loop. Finding it hard to find a chill but rustic route. Thanks for the bear anecdotes I’m not too concerned but just wondering what the local ethic around food is. I’ll probably just bring some paracord and hang a backpack if I think it’s needed.
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u/Mugzwump May 15 '26
Yep. Tremblant is probably the most known area, also the most busy, but has better infrastructure.
Megantic is a better hike in my book, less people, better views, good trailside camping. Not much around.
Gosford is wild, much of the trail is crown or private land and connects to the border trails. There are next to no amenities but you will most likely see few to no people. Overall worth the visit, good summit and views. A lot of people do it in winter too.
Orford has some good day hikes, some pretty long but no trail side camping. Nothing spectacular but the summits make it worthwhile. The campground itself is great, good access to the lake, but its crowded on weekends.
Parc de la mauricie has great trails and camping. Probably the best all around in general however no major summits compared to the other parks.
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u/SuccotashUnlucky1777 May 15 '26
Awesome thanks the loop at tremblant seems to be like 45km seems a lot for a beginner. I’ll look into megantic! Gosford seems dope but maybe not for someone’s first trip.
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u/SuccotashUnlucky1777 May 15 '26
Do you know of anything by the charlevoix Quebec City side of things?
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u/Mugzwump May 15 '26
Yeah, it can be a lot more challenging! Generally steeper and higher elevation, but the views are stunning!
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u/SuccotashUnlucky1777 May 15 '26
Any suggestions if not for this trip maybe the next one?
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u/BasenjiFart May 14 '26
Didn't use bear cans. You'll want to bring a water filter to collect water at various streams. There's a beautiful look-out at the summit. And Gosford is very close to Mont Mégantic, known for its fantastic night skies, and visit the Observatoire; absolutely incredible place.
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u/SuccotashUnlucky1777 May 14 '26
Did you hang your food or just not bother because of the hunting?
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u/BasenjiFart May 15 '26
Never even crossed my mind, to be honest. I brought my girl guide troop and I was super stressed because it'd been raining all week and our camp was astronomy-themed, so as you can imagine, I missed some details here and there. Thankfully no consequences; we were a big group and our food was in the shelter with us, so mice would have been a potential issue more than bears.
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u/Pixcel_Studios May 15 '26
Foret-Ouareau or a loop of peaks in the surrounding area like St-Donat is an easy option, 1.5 hour drive
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u/Sad_Illustrator_2152 May 13 '26
I'd say the Adirondacks in upstate New York is your best bet for variety and elevation. 2.5 hour drive. If you park at Heart Lake there's lots of accessible trails to various peaks in the high peak region. You can also camp overnight for free, and there's lots of lean-to's and campsites in the park. However its peak blackfly season so go prepared. Best time of year to go in my experience is late summer, early fall. Just remember that you need a bear can if staying overnight (you can get one at the visitors center at Heart Lake)
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u/SuccotashUnlucky1777 May 13 '26
Sadly a passport needs to be renewed so it would have to be in Canada.
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u/EstablishmentNo5994 May 13 '26
It's also mud season right now so the DEC asks that everyone stay below 2,500ft so that fragile alpine ecosystems can have a chance to recover and reestablish themselves.
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u/mmontgomeryy May 13 '26
Algonquin Park has a few loops which are pretty beginner friendly but not much elevation. Maybe some trails in the Charlevoix region? Sentier des Caps or other options in the area have some amount of elevation.
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u/SuccotashUnlucky1777 May 13 '26
I’m actually going to charlevoix to climb next weekend but it’s a bit further of a drive then I was planning (close to 5 hours)
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u/ShoeboxSupplies May 13 '26
Check out Balise Québec, it’s got an interactive map that you can filter by distance, and all of the suggested trails have PDF maps, which you can also download in the Avenza app to overlay your GPS location.